Electric switch-throwing mechanism.



PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908.

W. H. TURNER.

ELECTRIC SWITCH THROWING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 18, 1907.

FIG. 1.

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WILLIAM HERBERT TURNER, OF LEEDS, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC SWITGH-THROWING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16, 1908.

Application filed April 18, 1907. Serial No. 368,901.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM HERBERT TURNER, a subject of the King ofGreat Britain and Ireland, residing at Leeds, in the county of York,England, have invented certain Improvements in Electric Switch- ThrowingMechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for automatically controlling andoperating the points of overhead cable electric railways and tramways.

Description of Drawings.

Figure l is a front elevation, and Fig. 2 a side elevation, of myimproved apparatus, the inclosing box being in each case shown insection, and similar letters of reference being employed throughout toindicate corresponding parts.

According to my present invention a single electro-magnet or solenoid Ais employed, and the whole of the actuating mechanism is inclosed withina small boX or casing B which is fixed in any convenient position nearthe points, preferably in a vertical position upon the nearest streetstandard. The core 0 of the solenoid, which is held in its normal orouter position either by its own weight or under the influence of asuitable spring, is arranged in connection (by rod Q) with a small pawllever D and pawl E, which in turn is arranged in gear with a six-toothedratchet wheel F, upon the opposite face of which is carried athree-throw cam G, the said pawl lever, ratchet wheel, and cam being allmounted on a small pin or stud H which is fixed into the back of thecasing B. The said three-throw cam G is adapted to work between a pairof runners or rollers I I carried by the rod J which actuates the railpoints, this rod J being slotted over the stud H and being provided withthe usual compensating spring K and with suitable lever and wireconnections L to the overhead frog.

Any approved overhead mechanism can be used to control the energizing ofthe solenoid A, such as that shown in Patent No. 792,741, dated June 20,1904., issued to myself and others.

The action of the apparatus is as follows: A motorman wishing to enterthe branch route and finding the points closed would, on approaching theoverhead actuating switch, keep his motor controller on, so that thesolenoid A would be energized and its core C drawn in. This movementturns the ratchet wheel F and three-throw cam G (by means of theaforesaid pawl lever D and pawl E) through one-switch of a revolution,draW- ing in the rod J and thereby opening the points and holding themfirmly in that position. On the car having passed the overhead actuatingswitch, the solenoid circuit is broken and the core C automatically withdraws, the pawl E slipping back into the next notch of the ratchet wheelF in readiness for the next movement of the cam G. The points may bereversed by a similar forward movement of the three-throw cam G, thismovement being eifected either by the first car by means of a secondoverhead insulated contact plate placed in the branch cable, or by meansof the aforesaid first actuating switch on the approach of the neXtsucceeding car.

Provision is made for setting the cam Gin its correct position in casethe points are actuated by means of a hand lever or bar in the ordinarymanner. For this PUIiZPOSG the oint rod J is provided with a pair 0'extended fingers M, N, having connecting spring 0, the finger Mterminating in an incline engaging with a series of three small runnersP on the cam G, and the other finger N terminating in a hook engagingwith the teeth of the ratchet wheel F, so that a movement of the pointrod J in either direction turns the cam G forward through one-sixth of arevolution. These fingers M and N insure the setting of the cam fittingsin their correct positions at each movement of the points, no matterwhether such movement be effected automatically or by hand.

To check the movement of the cam G when rotated under the action of thesolenoid, and prevent it turning through more than one sixth of arevolution, a second ratchet wheel R may be provided, this ratchet wheelbeing adapted to engage at the proper time with a second pawl S actuatedfrom the lever D by means of a slotted rod T. When the points are movedby hand this second pawl S remains out of action.

If desired a suitable signal light or lights may be employed inconnection with the apparatus, such light being controlled by anyconvenient mechanical means.

I claim:

1. The combination, with a solenoid, and its core of a stationary shaft,a cam and a ratchet-toothed wheel secured together and j ournaled on thesaid shaft, a lever' mounted on the said shaft, a connectingrod betweenthe said lever and core, a driving-pawl pivoted to the said lever andengaging with the said ratchet-toothed wheel, and a rod for operatingthe points provided with rollers which bear on opposite sides of thesaid cam.

2. The combination, with a solenoid, and its core; of a stationaryshaft, a cam and a ratchet-toothed wheel secured together and j ournaledon the said shaft, a lever mounted on the said shaft, a connecting-rodbetween the said lever and core, a driving-pawl pivoted to the saidlever and engaging with the said ratchet-toothed wheel, a secondratchettoothed wheel secured to the said cam, a pivoted check-pawlengaging with the last said ratchet-toothed wheel, a rod connected tothe said lever and provided with a longitudinal slot for operating thesaid check-pawl, and a rod for operating the points provided withrollers which bear on opposite sides of the said cam.

3. The. combination, with a solenoid, and its core; of a stationaryshaft, a ratchettoothed wheel and a cam provided with lateralprojections secured together and journaled on the said shaft, a levermounted on the said shaft, a connecting-rod between the said lever andcore, a driving-pawl pivoted to the said lever and engaging with thesaid ratchettoothed wheel, a rod for operating the points provided withrollers which bear on the opposite sides of the said cam, andtwospringcontrolled fingers carried by the said rod and engaging with theprojections of the said cam and with the teeth of the said ratchet wheelrespectively.

WILLIAM HERBERT TURNER.

Witnesses ALLAN BENNETT, SAMUEL BURGESS.

